Observation: Uintas

Observation Date
1/12/2022
Observer Name
Ted Scroggin
Region
Uintas
Location Name or Route
Whitney Basin
Weather
Sky
Scattered
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Very mild day on the north slope with scattered clouds and calm to light winds.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Faceted Loose
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Snow conditions are holding up quite well even with the mild temperatures, the few inches from Saturday have grown weak on the surface, but still nice snow for riding. Conditions are supportable and I was able to get around quite easily with the big work sled while I was doing chores.
Red Flags
Red Flags Comments
No red flags observed in my travels.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
I did not spend much time looking at snow, but just made some quick visual observations as I was moving through the Whitney area
Comments
It did not feel like much was going on today, the winds were generally calm, the temperatures mild and no recent signs of avalanche activity that I observed. There were these few small, shallow wind slabs from the weekend that may have been triggered from riders high marking or possibly naturals from an increase in winds.
Lots of tracks from this weekend as folks were finding great riding conditions and I did not see any avalanches that may have been human triggered.
Looking across at the north side of Moffit Peak is a good place to see what the winds have been doing. There was little to no wind loading today that I could see, but recent strong winds stripped the windward side and loaded the north facing slopes.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates